Da Bears

 

September 7, 2020

The Bears begin play this Sunday with Matt Nagy in his third season.  Nagy was supposed to be an offensive guru that would revive a dormant offense. In 2018, a stellar defense wasm responsible for most victories, covering up the offensive deficiencies. That year they scored less than 20 points four times, including an ugly playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The defense wasn’t as prolific in 2019. Nagy’s offense scored 20 or less points in 10 of 16 games. Rather than take responsibility, Nagy placed the blame on his coaches. The Bears now have a new offensive line coach with an assistant, a new tight ends coach. John DeFilippo is the new quarterbacks coach and holdover Dave Ragone is now passing game coordinator. The Bears also added a new offensive coordinator. With Nagy in sole charge of the offense I can’t fathom what he does. At least with the pandemic forcing cancellations, Nagy won’t be questioned as to why the regulars had no playing time during exhibition games.

The biggest question in pre-season is who is going to be the Bears QB. The candidates are Nick Foles, who has had a modicum of success, and overall second pick, draft bust Mitch Trubisky. In essence, it was a battle between two second stringers. I’ve always thought this was Trubisky’s job to lose. It was difficult to determine who was better qualified with only practices to go by. Foles would have had to do something extraordinary to win the job. Although he probably wouldn’t start for any other NFL team, Trubisky is the Bears starter. Foles better be prepared when Trubisky fizzles out.  

The Bears completely revamped the tight end position. They signed former pro-bowler Jimmy Graham. His career has been trending downward for the past couple of years. First pick Cole Kmet should see plenty of action as he is the tight end of the future. They’ll have to do the job as there is little depth at this position.

If there is an upside to the offense, it is the wide receivers. Allen Robinson is arguably one of the best receivers in the NFL. I don’t understand why they haven’t negotiated a contract extension. Anthony Miller, when healthy, has shown flashes of being an excellent downfield receiver. The Bears signed veteran speedster Ted Ginn Jr. Although he never has had many receptions, he has been very good running after the catch. Nagy regularly uses a one-back formation so he can put four receivers on the field. The most promising is fifth round draft pick Darnell Mooney, another speedy receiver. Riley Ridley and Javon Wims will also get some opportunities as well.

Even if David Montgomery wasn’t injured, the Bears tandem in the backfield could be one of the worst in the league. Tarik Cohen stood out in 2018 as a rookie who was exciting to watch. Last season he was not an unknown commodity and opposing defenses were able to curtail his production. Montgomery was not good as a single back or in shotgun formation. The only success he had was lining up as the second back in the I-formation. However, Nagy didn’t employ the formation often because he couldn’t run a pass play from it. Neither can power up the middle near the end zone or on short third downs. Rather than target an aging tight end, the Bears should have sought a player who can gain three yards per carry. They had one in 2018.  However, Jordan Howard was the scapegoat for a bad running game and was traded. Nagy said he will employ the run, although I think he will continue to run his pass happy offense and ignore the rushing game. He could have Walter Payton in his backfield and still focus on the passing game.

There are question marks on the defense. They should still be good enough to keep the Bears competitive. The key is to stay healthy and not get exhausted with a bad offense keeping them on the field for three quarters. Akiem Hicks returns and will bolster the pass rush. Eddie Goldman has opted out and will be hard to replace. Bilal Nichols will return on one end of the defensive line. Unless the Bears sign another lineman, Roy Robertson –Harris could replace Goldman.

The strength of the defense are the linebackers. Inside linebackers Danny Trevathan and Roquan Smith are both pro bowl caliber. Khalil Mack should have a better year with Hicks back.  Newly acquired pass rusher Robert Quinn is the other outside linebacker. This may not allow opponents to double or triple team Mack.

The Bears will need a strong pass rush to help out the secondary. Kyle Fuller returns as one corner. Former nickel back Buster Skrine will be the other. This could change depending on the development of second pick Jaylon Johnson. Eddie Jackson returns   with an inexperienced Deon Bush as the safeties.

Cordarrelle Patterson will return kickoffs and Cohen punts. Injured kicker Eddie Pineiro will start off on the practice and be replaced by Cairo Santos who was with the Kansas City Chiefs with Nagy. Pat O’Donnell returns as the punter.

I hope the Bears catch lightening in a bottle but that would require a major uptick in the offense. With the Vegas over/under at 7 ½, I’ll be optimistic and predict 8-8. Missing the playoffs, should result in drafting the best quarterback available.

On a personal note today would be my beloved sister Sheila’s 65^th birthday. She has been my muse for all my posts, which I’m sure she would have enjoyed.